HOW TO MAKE YOUR MERC IN 2020
YOU wait ages for a new Mercedes, then 22 arrive at once. Well, OK, there actually have been quite a few new models this year but 2020 sees one of the biggest product offensives in the company’s history, with a slew of plug-in electric hybrids, 16 in total, hitting the forecourts.
It is a big commitment by Mercedes-Benz to alternative powertrains, and comes as the company also rolls out the allelectric EQC, which I briefly drove earlier this year and found very impressive in the power and handling departments. It will be joined next year by the new EQA SUV, a full EV in the important compact segment.
The company hasn’t turned its back on conventional internal combustion engines, and six new models will debut in 2020 – a new GLS SUV model; a mid-size GLB SUV that includes a seven-seater version; a GLE Coupé; a GLA Compact SUV; and a hotly awaited new S-Class.
On the hybrid front, we will see an A 250e, B 250e, GLA 250e and CLA 250e in coupé and shooting brake versions, along with CClass petrol and diesel powered hybrids in saloon and estate. There also will be a GLC hybrid range in coupé and SUV versions, with diesel and petrol hybrids and a choice of two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Last but not least, the E-Class goes hybrid too, in saloon and estate versions.
Meanwhile, the hybrid version of Peugeot’s wonderful 508 (it’s my reigning Car of the Year) has achieved impressive results in the new WLTP test programme that checks fuel economy and emissions in real-world conditions. The fastback model has been certified with emissions of just 29g per kilometre and fuel consumption of just 1.3 litres per 100km, and can run for 54km on battery alone; the estate achieved 30g/km, 1.3 litres per 100km and 52km in electric mode.
Under Budget 2020, the cars’ range qualify for the newly calculated grant thresholds in order to get the €5,000 SEAI grant and €2,500 VRT relief.
The new 508 hybrid range will go on sale here in December, when prices and specifications are announced.